Protect India’s Most Vulnerable: Call To Enact Infant Protection Act
- V. Prabhudesai
- Jul 27
- 1 min read
A new campaign on Change.org is urging the Government of India to enact the Infant Protection Act, a vital measure aimed at safeguarding the rights and health of the nation’s newborns and infants—especially those born into vulnerable circumstances.
India continues to grapple with high infant mortality rates, inequitable access to neonatal care, and a pervasive socio-economic divide that disproportionately affects newborns from marginalised communities. While the right to life is enshrined in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, and programs like the National Health Mission provide critical care, many infants still fall through the cracks—particularly in rural and low-income urban settings.
The proposed Infant Protection Act would:
Guarantee universal access to essential neonatal and postnatal care for every child, regardless of family income, gender, or social status.
Define legally enforceable standards for neonatal facilities, ensuring proper equipment, trained staff, and essential medications are available nationwide.
Mandate data collection and monitoring to identify and address gaps in infant care and to allocate resources efficiently.
Provide legal recourse for families whose infants suffer due to negligence or substandard care.
Vidyadhar Prabhudesai, a member of the Infant Protection Act Task Force, highlights, “This is a moral imperative and a child-rights issue. India can only call itself truly progressive when every newborn—regardless of their circumstances—has a fair chance at survival.”
To support this cause, please sign the petition and share it widely:
Published on Youthkiawaaz
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